Arc Raiders Update: Shrouded Sky Patch Notes 1.17.0 and Weapon Rework Details

The latest arc raiders update centers on the Shrouded Sky patch (1. 17. 0), which introduces violent topside hurricanes, two newly spotted ARC types in the Rust Belt, and a series of weapon fixes and balance changes designed to restore intended responsiveness while preserving skill expression.

Arc Raiders Update: Shrouded Sky Patch Notes 1. 17. 0

Shrouded Sky (Patch Notes 1. 17. 0) describes violent hurricanes sweeping topside, forcing new strategies for low-visibility combat as powerful gales and hurtling debris reshape engagements. Scouts have spotted two new ARC types in the Rust Belt; caution is advised while the storm runs its course, though those who can read the weather may find opportunity in the chaos.

Weapon optimization history: 1. 13, 1. 13. 1, and the emergent "shadow buff"

An earlier release, 1. 13, shipped an optimization fix for weapons that had the unforeseen consequence of lowering the total fire-rate of semi-automatic weapons. In 1. 13. 1 that fix was reverted, but an unintended change made it into the update that shouldn't have. Many players have noted a "shadow buff" to weapons after 1. 13. 1; investigation revealed that 1. 13. 1 inadvertently impacted weapon input buffers. Where players previously had to time inputs to a weapon's intended cadence to reach full potential, it became possible to spam-click and bypass that skill requirement.

Input buffering overhaul and semi-automatic adjustments

To strike a balance between responsiveness and skill expression, developers added more levers to control the weapon input buffering window on a gun-to-gun basis and adjusted semi-automatic weapons accordingly. The stated outcome is that weapons should now be more responsive to spam-clicking, while players who choose to pace their shots will see better results.

Tier balance aims: Stitcher, Kettle, Aphelion, Jupiter, and Venator

Work is also under way to rebalance perceived differences between low-tier and high-tier weapons. The update begins by reducing the overall TTK of the Stitcher and Kettle, and increasing the maneuverability of the Aphelion and Jupiter. A second attempt is being taken at the Venator, which still seems to be dominating many PvP encounters.

Dev notes: Stitcher and Kettle specifics

• Stitcher: The Stitcher has been positioned as a close-quarters weapon that rewards thoughtful positioning, but its fast TTK can lead to situations where a player is ambushed and killed before having much time to react. High headshot damage is identified as a large contributor to this problem. TTK is often acceptable when aimed at center mass, but when close enough to land most shots to the head, TTK numbers can outpace other weapons. Planned changes aim to bring headshot TTK closer to body-shot TTK by reducing full-spray accuracy and reducing the headshot multiplier.
• Kettle: The Kettle has been described as being in a weird place. Its high damage output was intended for medium-range, deliberate pacing, but many players are using it in close quarters and effectively turning it into an SMG. The goal is to distinguish it more from the Stitcher while retaining player-loved versatility. The update reduces base damage to bring its TTK more in line, while keeping a high headshot multiplier to encourage accurate headshots.

Venator note and outstanding context

The notes state: "Since the last nerfs to the Venator in 1. 3. 0, we've kept an eye on our data to" — this line is incomplete and unclear in the provided context.

Short items and oddities in the provided context

A short, standalone line in the context reads: "Error 418 - I am a teapot" followed by the text: "Short and stout, this is my handle, this is my spout. " Another fragment in the context appears as the title "Just a moment... " with no additional text; the remainder is unclear in the provided context.

Schedule and specifics beyond what is listed here are unclear in the provided context. Patch and balance details described above are drawn from the Shrouded Sky 1. 17. 0 notes and accompanying developer commentary as presented in the provided material.